Outdoor Oasis

 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy. - Psalm 96:11-12

Today the sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and the Tedster took a vacation day.  I look around me & feel blessed inside.  I decide to go make a post about this blessed day on Facebook and wish others peace & serenity.  Then it hits me as I start my post.  I glance down at the time & see the date & my heart becomes heavy & my mind is a swirling pool of memories.

May 25 is my dad's birthday and he's been gone for 23 years now.  He passed away one week before my wedding . Each May 25 I mourn the loss of having the "fixer" aka my dad in  my life.  My dad was my best confidant in the world, he didn't judge me, and he never tried to fix me.  He accepted his daughter with her far out creativity as she was.  He loved me, taught me independence, and self reliance. 

I'm reminded of a quote from Lew French who does amazing stonework artistry.  He said, "Over the years I have found that a perceived problem can often turn out to be a blessing in disguise.  Setbacks or problems make you work harder at developing alternate concepts so you have more choices to use in the overall design".  Granted, Lew French, is talking about working on a field-stone patio but what he said is of relevance to my & my heart. 

My dad used to listen to me cry, rant, or worry over a problem and then say, "what are you going to do about it?".  He never gave me the answer but would try to help me in the solution I chose.  When he passed away I felt a great loss because there was no one to listen to me, to hear my dreams or my fears.  What happened was that with his passing is that I gained a greater interpersonal relationship with God.  The setback of not having my dad made me work harder to seek the Lord in my life.  To rely and trust in my Heavenly Father like I had my earthly dad.  And, it taught me that I had to work really hard to free myself of trust issues and to accept love. 

So, yeah, today is May 25th, my dad's birthday.  The sun is shining , the birds are singing, and my serenity in my spirit comes not from the earthly father that I lost but the precious relationship I developed with my Heavenly Father after. 

Hoping each of you take some serenity time this week to enjoy the sunshine, hear a bird chirp, or enjoy having your fam or friends around. 

Peace be with you- Sherry

Updates:

• I'm still waiting to see if I will be approved to get my cancer meds via the drug company.  Prayfully, I will hear from them this week.....if not Friday I'll call them.
• Yesterday, our precious Emily, had another grand mall seizure.  It's a setback for her physically and emotionally.  She has taken the summer off to pray over her career path.  The latest seizure brought back old self doubts to her spirit.  Pray for her this week that God guide and direct her path & keep her safe.
• I'm praying over my ability to open my artroom back up in July for a handful of classes.  I really miss the buzz of creativity for the kids & adults that have came.  Dale & Emily are willing to help with the classes in July & so I'm praying I will be feeling stronger by then.  
• Our little library is open & ready for people to start coming by.  We regularly check it to see what is going out & in.  I was blessed last week to come and see two girls riding bikes in the neighborhood.  As, I was getting out of the car I heard voices & looked the girls were at the Little Library finding books....God is good.  If you have books you would like to share feel free to drop them off at our house or in the Little Library itself. 

Jammin' Through The Day

For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.  Proverbs 3:26

Ever been caught in a jam? Whether it be traffic, financial, or stress I think we've all been there.  The one commonality is that you are stuck & can't proceed.  I'm finding myself in a jam this week.  Within the past couple of weeks I've had random bleeding & pain in my stomach.  I didn't take it too seriously and thought it was just my ulcer acting up again.  I did mention it to the nurse at my doctor's office and they sent me for a scan.  Afterwards, they set me up with an appointment with a newbie doctor whom they wanted to do a consult. 

The consult was last week and the scan shows some very small cancerous looking cysts in my stomach.  The newbie doc said that they are small enough that they feel confident that meds can take care of them.  I got news today that the insurance company won't approve the meds or treatment plan.  The good news is that tomorrow I head into KC to do my regular check in with blood work with the doctor and will finalize paperwork for financial assistance through the drug companies.  That is my "jam".

All that said I should be stressed but I'm not.  I've been through worse in life & I know whose ultimately in charge and it isn't the insurance company, the doctors, or drug companies.....it's the Lord.  For that blessing of serenity this morning I'm thankful that instead of allowing myself to be caught in the "jam" I can speak life into the situation.  The world is not going to stop or even pause for a moment for me so why should I dare let this "jam" control my circumstances, my behavior, or my life.  By allowing God's grace to reign in my "jam" this morning I gave God the control, the power, and allowed myself to be at peace.

What have I done today rather than be caught in the "jam"?  I took time to fill the bird feeders at the house & work on my fruit stripe wood crane I'm creating for our yard.  Yes, I found the living today and the freedom of giving my "jam" away to God in prayer.  All that being said, yes, I would love prayers for our family as we embark on the next journey that cancer is throwing our way.

Hoping that you allow God's presence in your "jam" or "jams" you face this week.  Allow yourself to give away the "jam" & let God work.  If you've got a chance take a deep breath , hold it for a count of four, and then exhale....afterward find 3 small things to thank your Heavenly Father for.

Peace be with you- Sherry

Updates:

•  I go tomorrow to fill out financial aid paperwork to see if I qualify to get the meds from the drug company.  I'm walking in faith & confidence that it can be done or that God has a back up plan for me.
• Dale is going on a mission trip to South Dakota in June.  He will be serving kids at an Indian reservation there.  I love that he has that opportunity and his heart feels compelled to go.  At youth group they had the kids write letters to their extended family to help them pay for the trip.  Dale was conflicted because he didn't want to send a letter to my mom whose in poor health or my brother who is her primary care provider.  Dale said they have enough going on without him adding to their stress.  So, we are asking if you if you would like to help him to feel free to bring a donation by the house or ask for our address to send it.  He needs $150 to make the trip & we are walking in faith that by asking God will provide it.
• Emily has the summer off from college.  She will be volunteering at Gilda's Club with their kids program.  She will be leading the preschool portion of the support group for kids that meets on Tuesdays.  
• I've been praying over opening my artroom this summer or trying to do classes for kids in our community.  I talked with Emily & Dale over the weekend & they are willing to help me in July.  Look for a class schedule or details in June.  Pray that I'm able to do a couple of classes & use what God gifted me with ; creativity, love of teaching, and materials for projects.